https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring.atomBless International Exports - tapestry uses and caring2017-12-06T07:56:00-08:00Bless International Exportshttps://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/bless-international-tapestry-has-been-ranked-2-by-ezvid-wiki-in-2017s-top-10-tapestries2017-12-06T07:56:00-08:002017-12-06T07:57:58-08:00Bless International Tapestry has been ranked #2 by Ezvid Wiki in 2017's top 10 tapestries!Digitize Software
We are very pleased to announce thatBless International tapestry has been ranked as #2 byEzvid Wiki in 2017's top 10 tapestries!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/all-that-you-need-to-know-about-tapestries2016-09-26T07:32:00-07:002017-01-11T22:17:39-08:00All that you need to know about TapestriesDigitize Software
Probably the earliest use of Tapestries was to cover the cold stone walls of the huge royal castles. From then on, tapestries have come a long way in becoming the focal points of home décor, in almost every home across the world. By definition, Tapestry is a woven fabric where the design is built during the course of weaving.

Probably the earliest use of tapestries was to cover the cold stone walls of the huge royal castles. From then on, tapestries have come a long way in becoming the focal points of home décor, in almost every home across the world. By definition, Tapestry is a woven fabric where the design is built during the course of weaving.In a broad way it includes any fabric that is used to cover walls, floors or furniture, be it heavy, hand-woven, machine-woven, or embroidered. The recent decades have however narrowed tapestries to include only those textiles that are heavy, patterned, reversible, figured or hand-woven. The use of these is either as wall hangings or as upholstery fabric. In ancient days all tapestries were handwoven and were extremely expensive. Therefore, they were the properties of the wealthy and the royal families. Today, tapestries are available in different materials and designs, and are available well within the budget of everyone. Nevertheless, handwoven tapestries are still very expensive.

Tapestries as Sets

Tapestries would usually be designed as sets or single panels. One set of tapestry consisted of many individual panels that related to each other through style, workmanship and subject. They had to be hung together to give the complete picture. How many pieces there were to be in a set would be decided depending upon the dimensions of the walls that were to be covered.It was in Europe that tapestries were designed as sets, right from the middle ages till the 19th century. The Life of Louis XIV, which was a 17th century set, had 14 tapestries along with two supplementary panels. They were designed by Charles Le Brun, the painter of the then king. With time the number of pieces in sets started reducing. For instance, Polynesia, the set that was designed by Henri Matisse, a modern French painter included only two pieces in it.The Mont- Saint-Michel was just a triptych (three panels) tapestry set. By the 19th Century, people started ordering tapestries by the room. Apart from wall hangings, these contained tapestry weavings that were designed to upholster furniture, make bad canopies, cover cushions and so on.

Western Tapestries

Western Tapestries were of a different kind altogether. They were designed to decorate large architectural surfaces. Most of the Western Tapestries that were designed in the 18th century were encased safely in woodwork.Most of the earliest European tapestries were a combination of efforts put in by painters, designers and weavers. The weavers would follow the cartoons created by the designers or the painters, carefully. Yet there were times when the weavers would add in their own artistic personalities, making a few departures here and there.The period of Renaissance saw many paintings being reproduced as woven tapestries. It was here that the weaver became the imitator of the painter, instead of working as his collaborator. Even today, in certain places of Belgium and France, you can see weavers executing the work of the painters through tapestries.

Tapestries in Different Materials

Wool: Wool was one material that was perfect as the warp for making tapestries. Sometimes even the weft threads that would be woven into these warp threads, were also made of wool. Wool offered many advantages such as durability, workability and availability. Also, it could be dyed easily so as to make the tapestry colorful. It could also be used along with other materials such as cotton, linen or silk, so as to bring in an element of delicacy and décor into the weaving.Silk: Most European tapestries would use light-colored silks while creating pictorial effects of spatial recession and tonal gradation. The Beauvais factory of France used silk extensively in order to achieve tonal effects that were subtle. Japanese and Chinese Tapestries too used silk extensively to weave tapestries. Pure silk tapestries were quite popular in Middle East too during the middle ages.Linen: Egypt started the use of linen in tapestry weaving. A few medieval Europeans too started using linen as the warp while weaving tapestries. Cotton: Tapestries of the Islamic and Pre-Columbian World were made of cotton and wool. Ever since 14th century, gold and silver weft threads have been used along with silk and wool to give a sumptuous effect to tapestries. These silver threads would be woven on to a silk thread in a spiral.

The Technique of Tapestry Weaving

Tapestry weaving differs from the other types of patterned weaving. Here the weft threads never run for the complete width of the fabric, unless the design demands so. They are just inserted back and forth over sections where the color appears in the cartoon or design. While weaving a plain cloth, weft threads keep passing over and under the warp threads in an alternate fashion.During the return, they go under and over, making the weave complete. Once completed, the wefts will be pushed together tightly through devices such as comb, awl, batten read or even serrated fingernails. In tapestry weaving weft threads conceal themselves completely. You can see the warps as marked parallel ridges or grains, as per their fineness or coarseness. The thickness of the fabric depends totally on the thickness of the warp. During the middle Ages, you could see a thickness of say 10 to 12 threads to the inch in works such as the Angers Apocalypse Tapestry of the 14th Century. With tapestries imitating paintings in the 16th century the grains became finer. Gobelins, which was the royal French Tapestry factory, used about 15 to 18 threads per inch in the 17th century.This went up to 18 to 20 threads per inch during the 18th century. There was another royal French Factory called Beauvais in the 19th century that used 25 to 40 threads per inch. The fine grains only made the fabric regular and flat, making the tapestry imitate a painting canvas. In the 20th Century, the thickness went back to that of the 14th or 15th century with 12 to 15 threads per inch, making the weave heavier. Then came the silk tapestries of China that had about 60 warp threads in every inch There is still a lot to know about tapestries. Keep watching this space for more on the topic.

Happy tapestry shopping!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/10-ways-of-styling-tapestries2016-09-22T02:44:00-07:002017-01-30T02:30:39-08:0010 Ways of Styling TapestriesDigitize Software
If you thought your Tapestry was just a pop of color, think again. You can style your tapestry in many ways. Here are a few worth considering:

If you thought your tapestry was just a pop of color, think again. You can style your tapestry in many ways. Here are a few worth considering:

The Classic Style of Wall Hanging

Tapestries have been used as wall hangings since centuries now. A tapestry can in fact cover up a whole lot of white space on your wall. You may not need any other piece of décor such as a painting or a wall hanging to fill up your space, once you have a tapestry.

Using your tapestry as window blinds

If you think there is too much light coming out of your bedroom window, tack up your tapestry over it to create blinds in the pattern that you like. While giving a beautiful look to your bedroom space, this style can also make your place cozy and comfortable.

As a picnic blanket

Your tapestry can also make up for a lovely picnic blanket. You can either use it by itself or make a waterproof picnic blanket out of it. No longer will you have to tolerate the feel of that scratchy wet grass, every time you go out on a picnic with your friends, colleagues or family members.

A Duvet Cover

Tapestries come with lovely patterns that make up for beautiful duvet covers. You can enjoy the comfortable feel of the material while you snuggle up with a friend or a pet. It could be great for kids too.

As a Bed Cover

Not all of us are crafty enough to make things out of tapestries. So a simple way to style your tapestry would be to lay it over your bedspread. Not only would this make you feel much more relaxed and comfortable, it will also lend a new life to your space.

Tapestry as a Headboard

If you have a bed that does not have a nice headboard, you can just hang a beautiful tapestry behind that bed and create the effect of an elegant headboard. Not a bad idea to add some décor to your bed space.

As a Canopy bed

If you love to have a cozy bed to sleep in, you can create your own private space by using your tapestry as a gorgeous canopy. This works very well to satisfy your privacy cravings especially if you have to share your room with a roommate.

Hang it from the ceiling

Hanging a tapestry right from the ceiling can change the look of your space almost instantly. If you do not have a ceiling fan or a light attached to your ceiling, this is the best thing to do. So get yourself up on a chair and start hanging that tapestry.

Cover your closet up with a tapestry

Cleaning your closet is more or less a never-ending job. Every time you want to decide on what you need to wear, you keep making a mess out of your closet. Not all times will you have the time to clear up that clutter. No worries – you can now just cover it all up using a tapestry.

As a Table Cloth

Although you can put up a tapestry on just about any flat surface, it does look very nice as a table cloth. Now, you can have those long conversations with your friends, right at that gorgeous looking dining table.

I am sure there are many more such ideas if you actually start thinking of how to use your tapestry. So, you can now actually go on a Tapestry Shopping spree for decorating your home, the way you wish.

Happy tapestry shopping!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/how-to-buy-tapestries-online2016-09-21T03:57:00-07:002017-01-30T02:30:02-08:00How to Buy Tapestries Online?Digitize Software
Life has become very easy with vendors offering an option to buy their products online. In fact you can even buy your tapestries online. If you are new to online buying, here are a few steps that you can follow to buy your Tapestry safely from the comfort of your own home:

Life has become very easy with vendors offering an option to buy their products online. In fact you can even buy your tapestries online. If you are new to online buying, here are a few steps that you can follow to buy your tapestry safely from the comfort of your own home:

Search for the Tapestry you want to buy

First thing you need to do is open google.com and enter “buy tapestry online” in the search box. The moment you hit enter, you will get a list of websites that sell tapestries online. You can then go into each one of these websites and see what they offer. If there is something that you like you can actually go ahead with the purchase. There is a huge variety of options out there. You can check out various details such as the material, the size, the color and the designs before you zero in on a particular tapestry.

Comparing different sites

There are chances that you may find the same or similar tapestry on more than one website. You can compare their prices to see which one offers you good value for your money. Also, look at their delivery terms as a few websites may add up shipping charges to the price that is listed on the website. Enter your pin code and see if your location would be considered for delivery. Once you have selected the website, you can move towards the next step of finalizing your purchase.

Finalizing your Purchase

Once you have decided on the tapestry and the website, the next step is to add it to your cart. You must see this button somewhere near the product you have clicked on. Once you have added the item to your cart or basket, proceed to checkout. Here, you will be asked to fill in certain details such as your name, address and telephone number. These are the details that the company would want in order to deliver your order at your doorstep. Make sure you enter all details accurately and proceed towards entering your payment details

Entering your Payment details

If the website URL on the top starts with an “https://” it means your purchase will be absolutely secure. While some websites accept only PayPal, there are others that accept all debit and credit cards too. There are a few that also have “cash on delivery” option. Choose whatever is convenient for you and enter the details. In case you have any concerns or queries, you can always contact the customer support. Most of these retailers would be really happy to help you out.

After you make the payment, it is only a matter of waiting for your tapestry to be delivered. Most such websites will send messages on your mobile regarding the status of your order. The delivery person would even call you before delivering your item to make sure it is a convenient time. In case you find any problem in the tapestry when delivered, you can always return the same or exchange it for any other product by giving a call to the number that is printed on your package. The procedure is usually quite easy.

Happy tapestry shopping!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/the-history-of-the-jacquard-loom2016-09-20T02:16:00-07:002017-01-11T22:45:27-08:00The History of the Jacquard LoomDigitize Software
There was a time when Tapestries could be afforded only by the kings and the emperors. They used to commission skilled professionals to weave details of their weddings and battles in tapestries. The craftsmen would use hi-warp looms which would take them about a year to create the masterpieces that their masters wanted.

There was a time when tapestries could be afforded only by the kings and the emperors. They used to commission skilled professionals to weave details of their weddings and battles in tapestries. The craftsmen would use hi-warp looms which would take them about a year to create the masterpieces that their masters wanted.

The common folk and merchants, who could not afford tapestries, had to go for cloth blankets. However, with the invention of Jacquard loom, everything changed. Every common man could buy a tapestry to decorate his home.

The Invention of the Jacquard Loom

The man behind the invention of Jacquard Loom was Joseph-Marie Jacquard, who got into tapestry weaving right from the age of ten. The kind of numbing labor that tapestry weaving involved made him think about new ways to weave tapestries. He came up with a way with punch cards that could make intricate weaving of tapestries, possible.

The mechanized loom invented by Jacquard was an instant hit. Napoleon called it a public property way back in 1803. No longer did you have to take a second mortgage in order to afford a tapestry. People could afford beautiful tapestries with just about a week’s pay. It was the same materials and threads; but the labor hours were slashed.

Tapestry History

The main function of the earliest tapestries was to cover the doors and the windows and make those damp and drafty castles, comfortable and cozy. Artistic merit was not the main thing.

With time, displaying large tapestries that were woven using silver and gold threads became a status symbol. They became prized possessions. In cases of trouble they could always be rolled and carried away. The reservation of tapestries by the royalty came to an end with the invention of the Jacquard loom.

Buying Tapestries for decorating your home

Decorating homes is something all of us do; yet, we have our own budgets that we stick to. We have to choose, compare and then make our decisions. Same thing applies while buying tapestries too.

The best thing about tapestries is that they are durable and of course unbreakable, when compared to sculptures. They are large enough; but they do not appear gaudy.

You can choose from different textures and colors of tapestries without actually blowing your budget. You can pick out your own theme and choose how you want to use tapestries to decorate your home. You can create focal points in your space and set the mood in your room.

You can go for an intriguing Oriental Skirmish tapestry or choose one which is all red and black so as to define a serious workspace. With a Tibetan Mountain landscape, you can also bring in serenity in your space.

You can hang a tapestry with an English country scene right there on your massive couch. You can amaze your guests by putting up a lovely tapestry depicting a lively foxhunt. You could even go for non-pictorial hangings to decorate your walls and match them up with the rest of your space.

Thanks to Jacquard, the inventor of Jacquard loom, you can now impress and intrigue your guests by owning stunning pieces of art.

Happy tapestry shopping!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/belgian-tapestries-designs-tapestry-sale-online2016-09-18T23:21:00-07:002017-01-30T02:28:22-08:00The Beauty of Belgian TapestriesDigitize Software
When you think of decorating your home or work space, Tapestries would be something that comes into your mind. You can find a variety of them such as ancient tapestries, modern tapestries, European Tapestries, Asian tapestries and so on. Of all of these, Belgian Tapestries are amongst the most well-known.

When you think of decorating your home or work space, tapestries would be something that comes into your mind. You can find a variety of them such as ancient tapestries, modern tapestries, European Tapestries, Asian tapestries and so on. Of all of these, Belgian Tapestries are amongst the most well-known.

Belgian tapestries are known for their unique designs and presentations. They have been there since centuries.In fact, only the most beautiful countryside and historical significant tapestries are produced in Belgium. Made out of high-quality materials, these tapestries are exported to tapestry merchants all over the world.

Belgian Tapestries have been there from the medieval ages, attributing the country with hundreds of years experience in the fine art of weaving. European tapestries originated much before the medieval times, in France. Duringthe Hundred Year War Many French weavers fled to Belgium. Before the introduction of Jacquard loom, all tapestries were woven by hand and it had become a skill that was passed on to Belgium families for centuries after the first weavers arrived.

Around 1805, Joseph Marie Jacquard developed the sophisticated loom applying punched cards to grip the position of threads in weaving process.As far as making designs for tapestry and weaving, Flanders became one a most important area where workshopsand studios were located. Since Flanders fell in the territory of Belgium, Belgium became the first place in Europe to produce tapestries.Also, Belgium Jacquard mills are amongst the top tapestry producers to produce and export the tapestries worldwide.

Types of Belgian Tapestries

There are mainly two types of Belgian Tapestries - Bayeux Tapestries and Beatrix Tapestries. Bayeux Tapestries uphold the medieval style of the Belgian tapestries. Historic moments of the Battle of Hastings are the main themes of these tapestries.

The war scenes are in fact embroidered on the Bayeux tapestries rather than being woven. Therefore, it cannot be technically called a tapestry; yet it is. Bayeux tapestries were adorned in churches as well as the wealthy houses of England. At 1.6 by 224.3 feet, these tapestries are considered exceptionally large. The background, against which the figures and decoration are embroidered, is left absolutely plain, so as to show the subjects very clearly.

Beatrix Tapestries represent the designs of natural beauty, romance of nature, wildlife and social life of Belgium. If you want to fill the blank wall of your work space or house, a Beatrix tapestry would definitely be a great choice.

Tapestry weaving is one of the ancient forms of art which has been passed on from one generation to another. Today, this magnificent art lives in the tapestry products manufactured and distributed by Mille Fleurs Tapestries.

You can see some of the most famous Belgian tapestries at a few art galleries of Europe. However, if you would like to purchase one of these, you may do so online or from any art gallery that offers them for sale. You may also find some at art festival auctions.

Happy tapestry shopping!

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/how-to-hang-a-tapestry-on-your-wall2016-09-17T00:47:00-07:002017-01-30T02:32:01-08:00How to hang a Tapestry on your Wall?Digitize Software

Tapestry looks the most elegant when hung on a wall. However, care needs to be taken to make sure it is hung well. Here are a few ways that you can adopt to hang your wall tapestry:

Rod with finials

In case the tapestry you bought contains rod pockets, then you can hang it using a rod with finials. It looks more or less like a curtain rod. The rod should however match the interiors of your space. Identify and mark the space where you wish to hang your tapestry. Attach the brackets to the stud finder and drill holes spaced so that the brackets sit just outside the width of the tapestry. Now, attach the bracket into the wall by inserting it into the holes that you have drilled. Place the rod through the rod pocket and hang the tapestry on wall mounted brackets. Make sure everything is fine and secure.

Baseboard

In order to hang a tapestry straight you can use a baseboard. However, you would still require your tapestry to have a rod pocket behind it. Cut a piece of baseboard or flat piece of wood that is slightly shorter than the tapestry’s width. Create a hole at each end of the baseboard so that they are equidistant from each other. To locate the studs in the wall use stud finder. Make sure the baseboard is at the right level before you screw them on the walls. You can use wall anchors in case it is a dry wall. Now slide the base board into the rod pocket of the tapestry and fix it on to the wall. Step back and see if the tapestry looks straight and even.

Velcro

This is one of the easiest methods of hanging tapestries. Get a piece of Velcro shorter than the width of your tapestry. You would require both sides of your Velcro in order to hang tapestry. Stitch the soft side of the Velcro to the back top of the tapestry, using the same color thread. Makeholes at both the ends on wood strip or baseboard (which is shorter than tapestry width). Staple the stiffer side of the Velcro to the wooden strip with the help of wooden staples. With the help of boards mark the holes where the screw needs to be placed on the wall. Now, insert the screw into the wall through the board and attach the tapestry on board using Velcro.

Fringe

Having a fringe at the top bottom of your tapestry may not look that elegant. Therefore take a piece of wood which is shorter than the length of the tapestry and paint it with the same color as that of the tapestry. Stitch the heavy fabric canvas across the tapestry with the same color thread just to wrap the wooden piece. Now, drill the wooden piece and fasten it on to the wall. Use the board to mark and drill holes into the wall. Use wall anchors if you are drilling on drywalls. Slide the board between the canvas and top of the tapestry. Lift the tapestry when you are tightening the screw and then drop it down, making sure it looks okay

It doesn’t matter which method you use to hang the tapestry on to your wall. Make sure it is hung well so that it creates the desired effect.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/how-to-hang-your-tapestry-from-the-ceiling2016-09-15T04:42:00-07:002017-01-30T02:31:46-08:00How to Hang your Tapestry from the Ceiling?Digitize Software

Tapestries are excellent tools to decorate your home or office. Apart from hanging the tapestries on your walls, you could even fix them up to your ceiling. In case you are confused about how to do this, here are a few steps you need to follow:

Step #1:

First thing you need to do is mark the area on your ceiling. The tapestry will have to be placed very close to your wall. You need to make sure your daily movements will not cause the tapestry to get stuck anywhere.

Step #2:

Take a measuring tape and measure the maximum length of your tapestry rod. This rod will have to slide into the rod pocket of tapestry so that the heavy fabric can stay flawless, reducing the risk of sagging. Most of the rod models you find can be adjusted according to the desired length and are flexible enough to accommodate different sizes of tapestries. In case your tapestry doesn’t have in-built pockets you may have to sew the pockets into the fabric.

Step #3:

Climb up the ladder to reach up to your ceiling. You may seek help from your friend or a family member to hold on to the ladder base for safety. On the left hand side of the ceiling you will have to place the stud finder to make a connection point for the tapestry. Turn on the device and allow it to boot up.

Step #4:

Now, slowly move the device towards the right hand side of the ceiling. Stop moving the device across the ceiling when you hit a wooden beam edge or joist. You can mark this spot using a pencil.

Step #5:

Continue the movement of the stud finder to the right until it detects the opposite edge of the beam or joist, roughly 1.5inch away. Mark this edge on the ceiling with a pencil.

Step #6:

In between the two ceiling marks place the end of your measurement tape. Until you reach the same length of the tapestry rod expand the measuring tape along the deliberate installation area. Mark this end with the help of pencil.

Step #7:

Continue the same process from step 4 till step 6 to find the joist or wood beam near the newly marked length. The beam or joist may not remain in the same marked length position; it may be few inches here or there, as per the construction of your house. You may have to adjust the rod length according to the beam or joisting length.

Step #8:

Using a power screwdriver tighten the tapestry hook or bracket into the left side ceiling joists’ middle point. You can place a fastener in the middle of the joists for better attachment.

Step #9:

Repeat the same to bolt the right side tapestry hook or bracket too.

Step #10:

Slide the tapestry onto the rod. Place the rod ends into the bolted ceiling hooks. The fasteners should hold the tapestry tightly without damaging the surrounding ceiling area.

When you plan to decorate your house there are a lot of things you may have to figure out. Do you want to hang posters or creative tapestries? Tapestries would definitely be a better option.

Your choices are natural scenery tapestries, world map tapestries, grayscale tapestries and so on. You can choose to display them the way you want. They look cool anyways. Wall tapestries don’t mean they have to be hung on to your walls. They can also be used as:

Bedspreads

Using tapestry as bedspread would mean changing the entire look of your bedroom. Apart from adding glamour and elegance, a tapestry can also add some warmth to your bed. You will love the way your bed looks with a beautiful tapestry on top. They are always oversized but can obviously be tucked in.

Throw blankets

You can make a throw blanket out of a tapestry by folding it. You could even wrap it over the back of your couch, place it at the foot of your bed, or throw it over a chair. You can spend time with your buddy by draping both your feet using the tapestry.

Gift wraps

You could use a tapestry to wrap a gift instead of papers, especially if the gift inside is expensive. Not only does it give a fabulous and extraordinary look toyour gift, it will also please the receiver immensely.

Tablecloths

Decorating your table with a tapestry can add some flavor and enhance the mood of your meal. However, it is better to check out the fabric, texture and color before using a tapestry as a tablecloth. Using a floral tapestry could be a good idea.

Window coveringsor Light diffusers

If you have fluorescent lights anywhere at home, it could be a good idea to cover them by using a tapestry. It instantly converts your space into a den. While the low light gets filtered through those colorful threads, fabric ceilings can create a marvelous atmosphere in your space.

Using tapestry as a window cover can also offer you the same type of relaxing feel;but the advantage here is that you can adjust it accordingly to let the natural light in.

Picnics and festival decor

While it is a great idea to spread out a tapestry in a picnic spot to enjoy tasty food with your buddies, they can also be used to enhance the festive look of your space. You can use them as window curtains, cushion covers, table cloths, quilts or bedspreads during festivals. You can also use them innovatively in your seating arrangements to help your guests enjoy your function.

Forts

This might sound a bit childish; but it is really worth using a tapestry as a fort. Drape it up on chairs, wires, tables, bedposts or whatever you can find. They make the finest and coziest forts you have ever been in. While your kids may enjoy this space, it does add to your comfort and relaxation too.

Tapestries can be very useful with the multiple uses they suffice. It depends on you how you want to use them in your home décor.

Compared to the other kinds of tapestries, Indian tapestries involve weft-faced weaving, where in the warp threads are completely hidden. It is not like cloth weaving where in you can see both weft threads as well as warp threads. Cotton is the usual thread that most weaves use for warp.

Tapestries as Wall Hangings

Using tapestries as wall hangings is one of the most common uses of tapestries. This is how tapestries have been used since centuries now. While adding beauty, charm and coziness to your space, these tapestries also tell stories of ancient times. You can hang tapestries on the walls of your living room or bedroom so as to enhance the beauty of that room.

Tapestries as beach covers

If you live in a coastal area and would love to spend some time on the beach, it is a good idea to use your tapestry as a beach cover. Not only are these comfortable, they will also give a stylish and attractive look. Indian tapestries are quite easy to wash too. You may relax on one such tapestry and enjoy your sunbath. Else, you can just sit on one, feeling the cool breeze and the sound of the waves to relax and refresh your mind.

Tapestries as Various Covers

If you are looking for a more creative use for your tapestry, you can use it to make a traditional chair cover, table cloth, sofa cover or bed cover. You can use it the way you want, depending upon how far your imagination goes. Whatever form you use, this traditional piece of art will look extremely beautiful and elegant.

Tapestries as Couch Throws

Using tapestry as a couch throw can add up a touch of elegance and grace to your home décor. You can use it up as a light blanket if you feel slightly cold. You could even cover your body with it during cold winter days.

Tapestries as Curtains

Indian tapestries can look very elegant as curtains. You can cut one in between or use two tapestries of a similar design to make curtains. You can get curtain rings attached to the top of your tapestry. You may use it as a sliding curtain too.

Tapestries for Meditation

Meditation changes the physiology of your body, energizing each and every cell. It gives joy, peace of mind and enthusiasm. You get spiritual tapestries with mandala designs which are used mainly for yoga and meditation. This way, you will feel calm and relaxed the entire day.

Tapestries for Body Massage

Spread an Indian tapestry on a table, lie on it and put on some crisp soft music that draws you deep into the moment. You can then ask your therapist to massage your body with warm massage oil. This will help you get rid of all your pain and stress.

As they are easy to clean and maintain, there are many ways in which you can use Indian Tapestries. While being attractive, colorful and vibrant, they are the first things people would notice the moment they enter your space.

Tapestries can be ravishing decorations for rooms and walls that need something more. They can also add textures to walls and quench noised.There are many techniques to hang tapestries. You can choose any of the following methods and have a lovely tapestry hanging on your wall in split time.

Rod in casing

If your tapestries have a casing provision, than this may be the hanging option for you. You have to first Hand sew a strip of heavy fabric cotton cloth across the top back edge of the tapestry. Sew the top and bottom strip of the fabric, leaving the middle part open for your rod. Double stitch the fabric so that it is strong enough to hold the tapstries.Use the same color of thread as the tapestry while sewing. The casing should be perfectly straight, even if your tapestry doesn’t have a straight edge.

Velcro Method

Velcro is an easily alterable method of hanging tapestries. Make sure your Velcro has a good staying power, before you place your heavy tapestry on the wall. Sew the fuzzy side of the Velcro to the tapestry, using a similar color thread. Get a strip of wood which is slightly shorter than the tapestry and insert into the wall studs. Staple the stiffer side of the Velcro to the wood strip by using wood staples. Place the opposite Velcro piece on to the top of the backside of your tapestry and then connect your Velcro.

The Traditional Nail Style or Push Pin Method

If the tapestry is light enough you can nail it directly to the wall by using push pins and nails. This could be great for tapestries that arewoven loosely, as the nails would fit well between the wefts. It is necessary to create holes along the perimeter of your tapestry if it is woven tightly.

The Plywood Mounting Method

Stretch and staple your tapestry on to a plywood frame or a canvas material before placing it on the wall using wooden or designed metallic hangers. If you have a light or thin tapestry you can stretch linen canvas across the front portion of plywood frame and staple the fabric behind your board around the perimeter. You will then have to hand sew it directly to the center of the fabric by using heavy cotton same colored thread and curved needle.

The Foam Core Mounting Method

This is very similar to the plywood mounting method. Although the steps are similar, you will not be sealing or stapling your heavy Lenin fabric on to the wood. You will instead be placing it on a foam board.

Tapestry as a vaulting feature

This is a great idea to decorate your house ceiling in a unique way. A tapestry hanging from your ceiling can create a magnificent, dramatic, and a wonderful space while blendingalong with the other decorative stuff at your home.

Tapestry as bedhead

By using your tapestry as a bedhead, not only would you be adding a touch of glamor and elegance to your bedroom, you will also be saving a lot of money. You could even match it along with a rug.

Music has probably been there ever since the beginning of mankind. Man probably discovered music by hitting on a hollow log with a stick. With time musical instruments evolved and a few of the oldest musical instruments that were used during the early medieval period can be seen in the tapestry designs of those days.

If you are lucky you might find an early medieval tapestry that depicts noble ladies playing the portative organs, dulcimers being played by the young gentlemen and a few young peasant boys blowing thehumble penny whistle. The village fetes also became the theme of many wall hanging tapestries that depicted men and women singing and dancing, accompanied by different kinds of ancient instruments.

Musicologists of the early medieval period made it a point to make the history of musical instruments evident by depicting them on these hand woven tapestries. You will find the portative organ in the famous tapestry, “Lady with the Unicorn.” The main focus of this tapestry is to represent the hearing sense. This tapestry is a part of a 6-set series that you can find at the Cluny museum, Paris. The French tapestry in question portrays a beautiful lady who is playing on the portative organ, while being attended by a lion and a handsome unicorn.

With time wall hanging tapestries started picking up different kinds of musical themes. The 16th Century Flemish painters designed tapestries that depicted country village dances. There were images of musical instruments like drums, flutes, fiddles and portative organs. Then, by the 17th and the 18th centuries, panoramas of chateaux, palaces and villas with musical instruments adorned the wall tapestries. These are quite evident in Heirloom European Tapestries such as Chateau Versailles and Chateau Monceau.

The trend then changed over to depict still life. So, Painters such as Fragonard, Oudry, and Boucher in Veronese and France, Bernini, Caravaggio and others from Italy started designing floral tapestries. Although these were mainly intended for paintings, the tapestry weavers soon caught on and commissioned the painters to come up with cartoons of floral designs for the wall tapestry market.

19th Century saw William Morris producing tapestries for the decorative market. The Bouquet etViolon and The Stone Ledge with Vase tapestries started setting the trends to make decorative tapestries available to the common people. No more were Wall hanging tapestries meant only for the wealthy and the aristocrats. Even an average person could beautify his home through wall tapestries.

Till date, musical instruments continue to play a vital role when it comes to decorative wall tapestries. You can find them in different sizes, colors, themes and materials. You can also find tapestries that are reproductions of the hand woven and antique ones of the 15th century. Whether you want a European tapestry or one with a medieval theme, you can have it all.

With or without musical instruments, you can buy tapestries that match your exact preferences so as to adorn your home in your style.]]>
https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/all-about-buying-hardware-to-put-up-your-wall-tapestries2016-09-06T08:15:00-07:002017-01-30T02:33:09-08:00All about buying hardware to put up your wall tapestriesDigitize Software

Putting up wall tapestries is the best way to bring in some glamour and elegance to your space. Apart from making your room look stylish, it can also help in hiding imperfections such as cracks or chipped paints on your walls.

One thing you need to understand here is that putting up tapestries on your walls isn’t as easy as putting up curtains on your windows. You will have to buy all the hardware that is necessary to install a tapestry on to the wall. There are a few things you need to do here:

Get your Measurements Right

First thing to do is to choose a wall where you are going to hang the tapestry. Keeping in mind the dimensions of the tapestry, measure the wall using a measuring tape or a marking rope. Don’t try to estimate things on your own.

Choose the right method of installation

You can find various types of hardware to install wall tapestries. While some require you to drill holes into your wall, there are others that are in the form of adhesives, which stick on to your wall. If using adhesives, make sure they work on your wall. If your wall is smooth, adhesives may be a good way to install your wall tapestry; else it might not work. Although the grip is strong here, adhesive types of hardware are generally not too reliable for hanging tapestries.

Make sure the hardware set matches your Color Scheme

Although wall tapestry hardware sets may be hidden once the tapestries are hanged on to the walls, there are times when you may take them off the walls, to clean or maintain them. Therefore, it is always better to go for hardware sets that match the color theme of your interiors. For Instance, if your interiors are a beautiful combination of black and white, it makes sense to use black or white hardware sets. A brilliant green may look too out of the way.

Buy your wall tapestry accessories along with your tapestry

Once you buy a tapestry you may or may not find the right wall tapestry accessories that go well with your tapestry. If you don’t find you may have to settle for something that is unmatched, which is not really a good idea. For instance, you may have bought a beautiful floral wall tapestry. You may think you will buy a wooden hanger separately. However, what if you fail to find that wooden hanger later on? It is always better to buy these accessories as a set along with the tapestry that you are buying.

One thing you need to do while buying tapestries or hardware is to listen to your instinct. Buy only if it seems right to you. Try and imagine how a particular tapestry would look in your space before actually buying it. This can help you decide on just the right stuff. Who knows you might even come up with your own unique design.

All of us want to decorate the interiors of our homes in our own way. We choose the furniture, the curtains, the carpets and even the light fittings as per our tastes and preferences. One thing that is most coveted when it comes to decorating your home is wall tapestry. In fact, these have been considered as a major part of home décor since many centuries.

While originally created to insulate the cold stone walls of huge castles, tapestries went on to become prized possessions of the rich and the wealthy. With more and more intricate tapestry designs being introduced, they made their way into the common homes of the modern world.

Today, you can find tapestries in all kinds of styles. While royal homes can display those with ornamental motifs, those of the hippie culture can go for tapestries with psychedelic designs. You may even wish to display your family tree through a wall tapestry.

Although wall tapestries are quite popular as items of interior décor, there are many who are absolutely unaware of their history and making. This article should throw some light on a few interesting facts that can help you understand who tapestries became a major part of culture and art.

Tapestry Weaving

Tapestries are woven usually on a vertical loom. As a textile art, wall tapestries have gone through a lot of development and refinement over the centuries.

Tapestries use a combination of two interlaced threads – Warp and the Weft. Warp is the one that runs parallel to the length and Weft is one that runs parallel to the width.

The warp threads remain absolutely hidden with the entire weaving facing the Weft side. It is very different from how normal clothes are weaved, where in both threads are exposed.

Back since Hellenistic times, wall tapestries have been a part of interior décor in homes.

Although rugs and tapestries differ from one another, a Navajo rug is considered as a tapestry.

A small chapter from history - Greek tapestry has been found preserved in the desert of Tarim Basin dating from the 3rd century BC!

The art and industry of tapestry weaving and designing reached a new dimension in the 14th Century when they became popular all over Europe. The first wave of production originated in Germany and Switzerland and expanded over time to France and the Netherlands. In fact, Arras in France became the home of a thriving textile and tapestry weaving industry. The regions wool tapestries were actually imported by royals for their castles all across the continent.

Few of these wall tapestries survived the French Revolution as hundreds were burnt to recover the gold thread that was often woven into them

The utility of tapestries goes far beyond just being a decorative element in the house. They are easy to carry and roll up, which adds to their portability. Plus they have been used for insulating walls of castles since centuries – another major contributor to their popularity.

A lot of things go into weaving unique tapestries. However, you need to first understand the basic techniques involved in their weaving. Here is a list of such techniques that helps you know what there is to know about tapestry weaving:

The Color Compound Technique

There are two methods here. The first one is compounding colors using the warp thread. Here the thread will end on the warp thread. So then when you start weaving with the thread of the next color you start from the last one. This will bring about a smooth transition, with one color passing through another.

The second method in this technique is to weave multiple pieces of different colors against one another. So while one piece of color ends up on the first warp thread, a fresh piece of a different color will begin from the second warp thread. This is quite a common method as it can create amazing results, while making the different contours visible.

Weaving Tapestries using Vertical, Horizontal and Diagonal Lines

Through this technique you can represent landscapes, animals, people and complex objects on your tapestries. It would involve making of a compound and transmitting threads of two colors as per the circuit. There will be a gap between the elements, which will add relief and provide volume to the details.

The Circular Technique

Although this technique is not too common, it does deserve some attention. In this technique you will have to first arrange your colored weft threads in a circular manner. The resulting tapestry will resemble a picture that is painted using large brush strokes. Using thicker threads here will emphasize your tapestry’s texture in the best way.

The Contour Technique

If you wish to highlight the contour of your object in the tapestry, this technique would be ideal. This is done by entwining two warp threads along with the working thread. Thicker threads are used in this technique too.

Weaving Tapestries using Decorative Cords

To make your tapestry interesting, there is nothing like using decorative cords in your pattern. Hence, this technique is usually combined along with the conventional woven fabric tapestry. Decorative cords may be twined with either one single or a couple of warp threads. You can also use these cords for edging or to create decorative items.

Decorating Tapestries using Dried Herbs, Beads, Feathers and Other Elements

Apart from different colors of threads, you can also use decorative elements such as beads, feathers and dried herbs to weave tapestries. For instance, you can weave tapestries along with stalks of grass or woven pieces of leather. To get a beautiful golden color, you can apply Cuban sisal fiber. You can string up a few beads on to your weft thread. You can decorate it with feathers, straw or thin bamboo sticks. To get a fluffy effect, you can weave your working threads with separate strands of fiber and then leave the ends of these strands free.

Using creativity and imagination to the maximum potential can help you create amazing tapestries with exclusive designs. You can choose any technique from the above or even create a new tapestry weaving technique of your own. All you would need is a tapestry loom.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/the-history-of-tapestries2016-09-02T02:16:00-07:002017-01-30T02:33:55-08:00The History of TapestriesDigitize SoftwareUtility was the main intention behind producing tapestries back in the middle ages. They were intended to cover the huge stone walls of castles so as to protect the rooms from cold and damp weather. This way, big rooms could be converted into comfortable quarters by insulating the walls. The tapestries required used for this purpose had to be really big. The Tapestry looms had to be big too, which required high capital investments and many workers.

Bruges and Brussels in Flanders were the main places where tapestries were manufactured in 1500. The weaving centers were located in prosperous localities of these regions. The intricacies involved in these tapestries and their sizes made them investments and status symbols of the rich who wished to display power and wealth.

Compact groups or isolated figures stood out against plain backgrounds in the early tapestries. Sometimes, the backgrounds were embellished with floral or plant motifs. These were known as mille fleurs tapestries (tapestries with thousand flowers). Apart from architecture, sculptures and paintings, tapestries were also considered a major form of visual art.

The complexities of Tapestries increased when people started depicting battle scenes through them. There were those that included large groups of figures that were arranged in tiers using architectural constructions.

In the 16th Century, many patrons wanted to depict their favorite pastimes through tapestries. Therefore, new themes like the hung and peasants at work and play were introduced. A need to display their estates, gave rise to tapestry designs that included pastoral landscapes.

With church monarchs and wealthy kings holding the domain, many of the now-famous manufacturers of tapestries such as the Arras, Beauvais, Aubusson, Gobelins, Bruges, Ghent and Audenarde flourished as tapestries started receiving rich patronage. The subjects were naturally chosen by those who commissioned them.

17th Century saw the first-ever royal factory of tapestries at Les Gobelins, Paris. It employed hundreds of tapestry workers, who worked in groups, taking one painting at a time, weaving their art through colorful and rich scenes.

The designers had a lot to do with the making of truly fine tapestries. There was Francois Boucher, who designed tapestries for Beauvais ever since 1736. His cartons gave rise to about 400 tapestries of Rococo Style, all considered as splendid masterpieces. With the advent of the eighteenth century, these wall coverings were replaced by wallpapers.

Industrial revolution brought about automation in tapestry making with the invention of weaving machines and mechanical tapestry looms. This gave rise to mass production of plain fabrics at much lower cost. However, it still required skilled workers to generate tapestries other than plain ones, which increased the prices of tapestry weaving.

In 1805 jacquard loom was invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard. This loom used "punched cards" that commanded each and every thread in the process of weaving. With time these looms evolved in their sophistication, thereby giving rise to newer tapestry designs.

The Belgian Tapestry is perhaps the best example that talks about the greatness of old Flanders in tapestry weaving. Many such treasures can be seen in public buildings and renowned museums all over the world. Mille Fleurs Tapestries still manufactures and distributes these kinds of tapestries.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/what-you-need-to-know-about-gothic-tapestries2016-08-31T04:27:00-07:002017-01-30T02:34:45-08:00What you Need to Know About Gothic TapestriesDigitize SoftwareTapestry art came into being during the era of Gothic and Romanesque art when the Church was harnessing architecture, stained glass and sculpture to depict Biblical stories as well as congregations. This is why you see many Gothic Tapestries in exhibitions and museums.

Back in the 15th century, there were about 15,000 tapestry weavers working in France. The loom used to be either vertical or horizontal with just about 20 colors. The designs included mainly religious stories from the Old as well as New Testaments and secular scenes of war including Kings and Noblemen.

It has been known that Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, used to take an official painter along with him to his military campaigns to make drawings of the scenes happening there. These would later be converted into cartoons or preliminary designs for the weaving of tapestries.

It was only in the late middle-ages that Tapestries became popular for decorating interiors. This was when the people of upper classes started displaying them in their homes. Most such tapestries would be large-scale scenes of the aristocratic life led by the rich and would include hunts, courtly pursuits and biblical stories or allegories.

Tapestry was derived from the Latin word ‘Tapetum’ which means a wall hanging. Although today, it is often used with needlepoint and stitched textiles, the original tapestries are those that are woven.

Tapestries that graced the walls of great houses in England were generally woven by workers at workshops of Germany, Flanders and France. They were luxurious and expensive. It was in fact a great luxury for these tapestries to be exported throughout Europe.

Not only did these Tapestries make the rooms look much more comfortable and colorful, they also kept the rooms warmer as they insulated the stone walls. They were seen as symbols that could proclaim the status, wealth and power of the owner to the visitors. It used to be quite easy to take them down, roll them up and move them from one place to the other.

While some bought Tapestries off the peg, many would get them custom-built to fit into a particular theme or room. Sometimes, people would order them in sets called “chambers” or “rooms.” These came with wall hangings, cushion covers, bench backs and bed hangings that were designed to fit well together.

The workshops where tapestries were woven were professional and large scale. At times weavers even travelled from one workshop to the other. The rich owners who bought these tapestries usually employed people to take good care of them. Their job was to help transport them from one place to another whenever needed and carry out alterations or mending work in workshops.

A full scale pattern known as a cartoon would first be created by an artist or a specialist. This was the reference tool for the weavers who wove the tapestries. These designs used to be re-used and even adapted to suit the requirements of the owners. You can find such cartoons and even some of the Gothic tapestries at the V & A Museum, London.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/floral-tapestries-to-add-romance-in-your-life2016-08-30T05:37:00-07:002017-01-30T02:34:20-08:00Floral Tapestries to Add Romance in Your LifeDigitize SoftwareHome décor is very important for everyone as it helps makes their homes establish their identities and create comfortable spaces to live in. It helps in creating a certain atmosphere you are looking for.

Many choose paints or furniture to decorate their houses; but you will be surprised how a simple floral tapestry can make a huge difference to your space.

Here is how you can use floral tapestries to make your spaces full of life and colour:

For your Dining Room

A dining room is not just a place to eat but a space where most of your family conversations happen. This is where you get to spend that quality time with your family without any distractions.

You may have selected a few pieces of furniture to compliment the paint that you have used to cover the walls of your dining room. You may have added a few decorative items and maybe a flower vase. Do you think this is enough to add in that much needed warmth to your space? If not, try putting up a floral tapestry on a wall of your dining room and see the difference it makes.

In case your dining room is completely enclosed, you could use a pair of floral tapestries to highlight two walls of the room.

Not only will this add warmth and color to your dining room, it will also help people feel comfortable and have healthy conversations while enjoying a meal.

For your Living Room

Anytime you have a guest or a visitor, living room is where they spend most of their time. It is very important to create a focal point of interest in your living room. Such a point should be eye-catchy enough to pull the attention of people who enter the space. It is from there that they start taking in the rest of your space, enjoying and appreciating your décor style for having brought it all together.

What could be better than a floral tapestry to create that focal point of interest?

Make sure you match up the colors of your living room with the floral tapestry that you choose. You can later on think of adding up accents that enhance the elegance of your space, giving it a complete look.

For your Bedroom

Bedroom is a place where you relax after a hard day of work. It is where you spend quality time with your spouse, redefining your relationship whenever possible. Every now and then you may be making attempts to bring in a touch of romance by lighting up a few candles, adding up a batch of fresh flowers, placing a rose on the pillow or even sprinkling a few rose petals on the bed. So, why not create this effect every day with a floral tapestry?

You might even want to add a couple of such tapestries if it can enhance the beauty of your bedroom, turning it into a romantic space.

Best thing is that you don’t have to worry about watering these flowers or replacing them when they wither away. These beautiful pieces of cloth can deliver the same effect that real flowers can when it comes to making your bedroom a romantic getaway.

Flowers add color, brightness, joy and romance into the space they are kept in. Putting up floral tapestries on the walls of your home can help you enjoy the feelings of happiness and bliss constantly. They are also easily available and in a variety of options. So why not just order one right away?

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/the-making-of-the-tapestries2016-08-26T04:50:00-07:002017-01-30T02:34:36-08:00The Making of the TapestriesDigitize SoftwareTapestries are a style of textile art, traditionally woven on vertical looms.They come with different designs, colors and scenes. They are available in various kinds of materials and sizes.

The Loom

Weaving has its veins in ancient basketry, which need stiff fibers. The discovery of a loom allowed the use of pliable fibers, which clutches the lengthwise envelop strands tight while the crosswise weft strands are woven in.

A pottery dish was found in one of the Egyptian tomb date back 4400 BC. On this dish there was a picture that depicted the loom based on pegs in the ground that held on to the rods to which the warp threads were groomed. A loom, not very distinct from today’s tapestries loom, appeared in Egypt way back in the 18th century. The Nanjo Indians still use a similar loom.

After the introduction of mechanism by Englishmen looms went through drastic changes. During the industrial revolution, hand weaving almost lost its form; but it still remains an artisan crafts in a few parts of the world. For instance, there is British Isles where people are showing great interest in learning ancient arts like hand crafts. Hand weaving is nowadays hunted more for pleasure than profit.

The Weaving Procedure

Since ages, the weaving procedure has remained constant; and this can be seen from those early pegs in the ground to the mechanized looms of today.

The three main elements in making tapestries are shed, picking and beating. The warp is the basis of the cloth and weft is woven into form weave and sketch of the piece. Substitutable, the warp threads are ribbed to pass the shuttle with the weft threads through. The space created is called the shed. A row of weft is called as pick. Beating is the process that ensures that the pick is even and is placed properly against the previous pick.

The warp involves lot of stress and so it should be made of strong fiber. When designing the dimensions, at least ten percent extra should be left on the width to allow for the pulling in on the borders, which are created by the turn of the weft around the outside warp ends. These warp threads must be prepared and placed carefully on the loom.

Tapestry weaving requires unique mastery. The weavers fill in color areas one at time, leaving incisions in the fabric, which are then sewed later.

Tapestry Designs

The designs for the tapestries are done by an artist on card- this is sometimes called as cartoon. The weaver uses this as the “model”. Nowadays, in mechanized tapestry production, the artist builds a painting the size of the final tapestries. A sample design is made showing each stitch of the weft. The card is then pushed by electronic equipment to fit the jacquard loom.

The beautiful tapestries that you can find in old cathedrals and art museums were meticulously woven by hand. Some were made by royalty, some were commissioned by artists and some by lowly paid workers.

You can choose from a variety of tapestries and use them as wall hangings, curtains or bedspreads. It is definitely a thing of beauty which can be inherited by your future generations with time.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/exclusive-wall-tapestries-to-trim-any-decor2016-08-25T04:30:00-07:002017-01-30T02:34:55-08:00Exclusive Wall Tapestries to Trim Any DécorDigitize SoftwareAre you fed up of using wall hangings to decorate your home?

Would you like to try new decorative items?

If yes, a wall tapestry could be your best option.

When you plan to decorate your home, the designs and styles available are many.For every variety of interior layouts you can find a distinct variety of décor items. Tapestry is the only home décor that will always fit in, no matter what your layout scheme is.

Tapestries are available in variety of colors, styles and dimensions to match the broad demands of clients. It is because of the variety of options available that tapestries have become the sublime option for home décor.

If you are a lover of art or if you have a classy property, you could go for a Monet or a Classic Degas Tapestry. This will make your home look like a miniature museum.

If you are looking at decorating your bedroom with a tapestry that can produce a relaxing effect, you could choose a coastal tapestry that displays a light house, a scenic shore, or a fleet of sail boats leaving the harbor. You will find many varieties in this category. A crystal-clear reproduction of famous photography or an artistic reproduction of a famous painting would do well here.

Western lodges or residences may prefer tapestries with wildlife scenes. They also work well for sports people too. Native American themed tapestry wall hangings can enhance the appearance of log cabins or rustic homes, if you live in one. While giving a wonderful western feel to your home, these also brighten your space. They come in rich and vibrant colors that can add a whole lot of color to your rooms.

You can even display your culture through the tapestries that you hang on your walls. You can find tapestries with American Culture, African Tribal arts, Inuit Tapestries and more.

Combination of old and new, summary and modern day, wall artwork tapestries often take a traditional platform of design, such as the damask print, and give a new spin to it. This is often achieved through enlarging prints, destroying the sample or mixing it with other types and motifs.

Animal-admirers can screen their passion through horse tapestries or elephant tapestries. You can notice the combination of ethnic and animal tapestries in the Serengeti elephant tapestries.

It doesn’t matter what style you use to decorate your home, you are sure to find a tapestry that can trim that décor. Tapestries are available in all sizes, materials, colors and designs. If you are buying a new home or renovating your existing one, you can buy the right tapestries that correspond to the size of your walls.

Do some research – check with a few sellers and even look for online options to buy the best tapestries at affordable prices.

However, do not forget to measure your walls and consider the kind of lighting that is available, before choosing your tapestry.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/hippie-tapestries-ways-to-acquire-and-exhibit-them2016-08-24T03:06:00-07:002017-01-30T02:34:07-08:00Hippie tapestries: Ways to acquire and exhibit themDigitize SoftwareHippie tapestries have been used by many people from different cultures and traditions since ages, to beautify their churches, homes, and edifices. This trend has come back today with newer advancements. You can find Hippie Tapestries in varieties such as tie dye, rock bands, rock legend and themes that can fit into any décor or style. You can be sure of finding just the tapestries you need, for your space.

It is very important to lock a few things before you step out to buy your hippie tapestries. Firstly, you have to measure your wall to ensure you get a Hippie Tapestry that fits your space. You will have to determine how much space you would need around your tapestry after you mount it on the center of your wall. This will intuit the size of the tapestry you would need.

You can go for the perfect hippie tapestry after focusing on your needs and budget.You can opt for splashes of color orceltic designs, tie dye or others.They come in different price ranges, from affordable to expensive. It is better to remember all this when you go tapestry shopping.

Hippie Tapestries can be used as bedspreads, doorway covers, windows curtains and even floor coverings. As bed spreads they can give a very attractive look to your room. The flexibility that these Hippie tapestries provide enhances their usability when you get them home.

There are many things you need to consider such as color, design and fabric, while choosing the right Hippie Tapestry. The fabric should match with that of your curtain or upholstery in your room and the color should go with your theme. The design should be appealing enough to enhance the effect of your space.

Always make sure to check the material of the tapestry that you buy. Never jump into the decision of buying it, even if you find the designs attractive. You can ask the shopkeeper to reserve it for you and look around a little more. You can check for a few online too.

Purchasing tapestries would also mean purchasing rods and brackets to fix them up on your wall. You have to keep in mind the weight of the tapestry, while purchasing these hardware items. You could even place a sleeve at the back of the tapestry and hang it like a curtain.

Brads and Tacks may keep your tapestry from swaying across the rod. Make sure you buy adequate number of tacks to attach the tapestry to the wall so that it doesn’t sag. You can also make use of Velcro strips.

You can also drape these hippie wall tapestries behind your furniture. If you have a music theme, a Hippie tapestry can fit beautifully into it. You may even think about engaging a soul flower style as a conversation piece.

Although Tapestries were bought by affluent families back then, they are no more restricted for purchase by the wealthy. If you are willing to put it up in your house, you can easily buy one.

A Hippie tapestry is a great way to express your feelings. It is very important to clean and maintain them so that they don’t fade away or get damaged.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/rugs-vs-tapestries2016-08-23T05:27:00-07:002017-01-30T02:32:56-08:00Rugs vs TapestriesDigitize SoftwareBoth rugs and tapestries are capable enough to add some ambience to your room. Apart from warming up your space, these can also make a huge room appear much smaller, giving it a cozy and comfortable effect. You can go for any depending upon the theme of your room. However, it is always better to understand the differences between the two.

Rugs Tapestries

Rugs:

Rugs are weaves that are meant to cover the floor. Although most of them come with piled weavings, you may find a few with flat weaves too. In such rugs, different coloured warp and weft threads would be woven together to create structural patterns or images.

In piled weaving rugs, you will find images or patterns that are made through coloured knots of wool on the warp threads. These are then held in place by the weft threads. Once these knots are sheared, you will see an evenly piled rug. Piled rugs make beautiful wall hangings. If you have any precious or antique rugs, it may be a good idea to put them up on your walls.

Rugs are easily portable and durable. They are also easier to maintain as all you would need to do is vacuum them. Choosing rugs depend on the room in which you will display them. For rooms that receive heavy traffic, you may have to choose a rug with a dull shade as people will only pass through the rug. It is not an eye-catcher here. In an entry way, you may want a rug with a simple message like Welcome. It is better if you choose one that reflects your personality.

Tapestries:

Tapestries on the other hand, are created on looms through patterned weavings. They are meant to be hung up on the walls. The images that you see on tapestries are created by choosing different colours of weft threads that are then woven across the warp threads. Therefore, these images will be structural to the fabric of the tapestry.

Unlike Rugs, Tapestries are meant to be seen always. They tend to speak great volumes of your tastes and styles. You should choose tapestries with rich and warm colours that complement your walls. You should make sure the designs are not too overwhelming. Placing a mirror opposite to wall that has a tapestry can add some special effects.

Tapestries can be a little tricky to maintain as they are usually delicate when compared to rugs. However, if you follow the right methods to take care of them, you can enjoy them for a long time to come.

Both rugs and tapestries may be found in different materials and designs, everywhere in the world. You can also buy them online. It pays to understand these varieties and the pros and cons thereby, before you start buying them for your home. You need not stick with one of them. You can decorate your home with a combination of rugs and tapestries. However, make sure the colors and designs you choose complement each other and make the overall effect appealing and aesthetically pleasant.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/tapestries-the-most-popular-varieties2016-08-22T06:12:00-07:002017-01-30T02:35:09-08:00Tapestries – The Most Popular VarietiesDigitize SoftwareThere are many options when it comes to home décor; yet using tapestries is a very unique one. Back in the olden days, only affluent families hung tapestries on the walls of their huge houses. However, today tapestries have gained a lot of popularity, which has made them enter into almost every house, all over the world.

Not only does a tapestry enhance the décor of your house, it also makes your surroundings feel very cozy. They are available everywhere in different materials, sizes and designs. You can choose any according to your requirements and preferences. The effect of tapestries cannot be compared to any other form of wall decoration including exclusive oil paintings. These are definitely something you can be proud of.

Tapestries come in various materials like linen, cotton and wool. You may also find few with silver or gold works that add a touch of elegance and luxury. Not only are these materials high in quality, they are also very durable. Most of them are woven and even embroidered with intricate and delicate patterns that instantly the capture the attention of your visitors.

A good thing about tapestries is that they are very light in weight. You can move them around easily and even roll them over. Mounting and dismounting can be done very easily, as and when required. Therefore, you can keep changing the appearance of your space every now and then, without any worries. What’s more – you will find them for every budget.

Off all the varieties of tapestries available in the market, the most popular ones are the Belgian Tapestries and the European Tapestries. Both of these are available in many designs and patterns. Not only do they add the touch of class and elegance to your homes, they are also very practical because of their high quality and durability.

Belgian Tapestries

Belgian Tapestries are of three types -Bayeux tapestries, Beatrix tapestries and Antique Belgian Tapestries. While Bayeux tapestries depict the scenes of war between England and Normandy (1066 A.D), Beatrix Tapestries are more intricately detailed to catch your eye.

With themes such as lush gardens, wild animals, beautiful nature scenes and various romantic concepts, Beatrix Tapestries become the focal points of attention once they adorn the walls of your home. Antique Belgian tapestries are those that you can find in family vaults and museums. They undoubtedly belonged to the royalty once upon a time.

European Tapestries

Most European Tapestries come with biblical stories that represent the events that are depicted in the Bible. You may also find a few with patronized and popular European designs such as castles, landscapes, cities, oriental designs, wildlife and animal images. Those associated with the romantic themes, nautical themes and myths are quite highly valued by each and every art collector and artist. There are a few customary designs such as unicorn, wine and feast, religious, floral, temples and Asian too.

You may choose a design based on your personality instead of going for the most popular one. Picking a rare one can give your home an exceptional and unique look. If you do choose wisely, you can be sure of leaving your visitors with awe and wonder when they come have a look at the tapestry you have hung on your wall.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/how-to-choose-the-right-tapestry-for-your-home2016-08-17T02:06:00-07:002017-01-30T02:36:35-08:00How to Choose the Right Tapestry for your Home?Digitize Software

The way you decorate your home is absolutely your decision. You may want to take the opinion of your family members to check if they like what you want to do with your home. Putting up a tapestry on one of the walls of your house is a great idea to decorate your space. Here are a few tips that can help you in selecting the right tapestry:

Go with the theme of your home decor

Every home has a theme; it could be a cottage home, a French styled home, a traditional home or a modern home. The tapestry that you choose should complement the style and go well with your theme. However, in a modern home, you can play around with a lot of styles and still make the tapestry fit.

Match the tapestry with the size of your wall

A large tapestry might look good on a large wall. It might in fact act like a backdrop to your room, giving you the illusion that you are actually walking into some other place or time. It can be quite impressive. However, a small tapestry on a large wall may fail to create an impact. Similarly a large tapestry on a small wall can make your space look crampy.

Consider the surrounding colours

Any tapestry might look good on a light coloured wall. However, if you have a strongly coloured wall, you may have to make sure the colour of the tapestry goes well with your wall. If not it might look way out of sync. You can even go for a contrast colour that can enhance the effect of your tapestry.

Your preferences play a major role in selecting tapestries

Ultimately, the tapestry that you choose should be according to your liking. While a few may go for romantic scenes, others may prefer nature abounds. If you are an animal lover, you may go in for an animal tapestry or if playing with colours appeals to you, you could even choose an ombre tapestry. Look through a variety of options and then make your decision.

Make sure the tapestry you choose creates the desired impact

You can create different impacts by choosing different tapestries. For instance, a mandala tapestry may create serenity in your space, while a floral tapestry may add some romance to your space. You can even put up a tapestry that depicts nature to create the illusion of a large living space.

Select a tapestry that comes with a tunnel at the back

This will make it easier for you to hang the tapestry. All that you need to do is insert a tapestry rod and mount it up on your wall. All tapestries may not come with a tunnel; however, it is always better to check for one.

To enhance the beauty of your tapestry you can also purchase a beautiful tapestry rod. You get many with elegant designs that give a nice finish to your tapestry. Choose the color of the rod according to the tapestry and your wall. Whatever you do, choose the best tapestry and enhance the beauty of your space.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/taking-care-of-your-tapestries-part-22016-08-16T05:47:00-07:002017-01-30T02:35:20-08:00Taking Care of your Tapestries – Part 2Digitize SoftwareIn my earlier blog you might have read about the basic maintenance stuff you need to do to take care of your tapestries. This blog will give you instructions on how to keep your tapestries clean at all times.

The bold colours and intricate patterns of tapestries create warmth and add a lot of beauty to your space. Most of the times, we hang our tapestries on the walls of our homes to add to the decor. Very few owners may however spread it out on the floor or use it as a bed spread.

In case you have hung your tapestry on the wall, it may not get too dirty for a deep clean. Using a vacuum cleaner would be good enough to keep it looking clean and fresh. Here are a few steps you need to follow to clean your tapestry if it has been hanging on your wall:

Step #1

Remove the tapestry from your wall, in case it is too high to reach. You may need to use a stool or a ladder that is safe enough to prevent you from falling. Take help if required.

Step #2

Spread it out on a flat surface, which could be a table, a bed or floor that is free from any kind of dirt or stain. You may place a few weights at the corners to make sure your tapestry doesn’t blow away while you are vacuuming.

Step #3

Take out your vacuum cleaner and plug it in. Connect the upholstery attachment that comes with stiff bristles. The head would be in the shape of a rectangle or an oval.

Step #4

Switch on the vacuum cleaner and gently run the upholstery attachment across the length of your tapestry. A top-to-bottom approach would be a good one. The top side is where most of the dust collects if your tapestry has been hanging on the wall.

Step #5

Once you are done, you can flip your tapestry to the other side and repeat step number 4. This may not take that much of time as the backside would be considerably clear of dust.

Step #6

In case your tapestry doesn’t look clean even after you vacuum it, you may have to take it to a dry cleaner. Make sure you find out if your tapestry can be dry cleaned. There are some varieties such as Italian tapestries, French reproduction tapestries, hand-woven tapestries or woollen tapestries that are not to be dry cleaned. If yours is one of these, you may have to look for a rug cleaner who takes up cleaning of antique textiles and high-end carpets. It is better you find out these things before you buy your tapestry so that you have a fair idea of the kind of money you may have to spend on its maintenance.

Tapestries that are dirt-free and fresh give a nice look to your home. Anyone that comes in will spend quite a bit of their time in admiring the intricate patterns of your tapestry. You are sure to be full of compliments by the time they leave.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/all-you-need-to-know-about-mandala-tapestries2016-08-14T00:11:00-07:002017-01-30T02:36:26-08:00All you need to know about Mandala TapestriesDigitize SoftwareMandala originally means a circle. It represents fullness, helping us relate to that infinity that exists beyond the world that we live in. We can see mandala in various aspects of our life – the Sun, the Earth, the Moon and the circles of life that encompass our family members, friends and communities.

A mandala is usually a motif that is filled with concentric circles. There is a central core around which elements are organized in a systematic way. You can in fact find such structures everywhere around you. A few examples include:

The structure of flowers

A spider’s web

the whorls of a shell

the Milky-Way Galaxy

A cross section of a fruit

cells of the human body

Not only do mandalas symbolize life, they are also very significant in a spiritual way. It all started with Hindus using mandala as their spiritual tool. Most of these mandalas are made by Buddhists and were used for meditation.

It all started with Tibetan Buddhists creating intricate mandalas using coloured sand, meditating and chanting as they went on. The mandala was then allowed to blow away in the wind to symbolize impermanence.

The white part of the mandala is the Yin part which represents primordial female energy and the black part which is the Yang part represents primordial masculine energy. Although both are total opposites of each other, they co-exist and do their cosmic dance, while transforming into each other continuously.

Mandala always represents an interconnection between the object and the viewer. While visually attracting your awareness and consciousness to the center point, it allows your focus to draw inwards. It therefore works as an excellent tool for meditation.

Creating mandalas is not something everyone can do for it is all intricate artwork that needs a lot of patience and skill. Therefore, mandalas of today are available as tapestries and bedsheets that also can be used for meditation. This is what you need to do if you want to use your mandala for meditation:

Find a silent place to sit with the mandala in your clear vision

Determine the purpose of your meditation. It could be to experience relaxation, joy, love, peace or connection.

Now select a word that can help you express that feeling. It may be “ocean” or “love” or anything else that makes you feel calm and peaceful. You can also use the word “Ohm,” which is the sound of the universe.

Look at the mandala with a gentle and soft gaze. You can blink normally. You don’t have to think or dream about anything. You only have to look.

Be in the present. If your mind starts drifting be aware of it and then return to your present situation. Concentrating on your breathing is a good technique to use here. Breathe in through your nostrils and say the mantra as you exhale, either internally or externally.

Being interconnected to everything, a mandala is a high source of energy. Practicing meditation with mandala will make it easier for you to connect with that positive energy that is present within you. This can prove to be immensely beneficial in carrying out your day-to-day tasks and improving your productivity.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/caring-the-tapestries2016-08-04T06:51:00-07:002017-01-30T02:36:16-08:00Caring the tapestries - Part 1Digitize SoftwareBless Store tapestries are all washable and can be easily washed at the home. They can easily machine washed too. Some tapestries especially ti-dye one can leave the colors so please wash them separately.

When hanging the tapestry like a curtain, the weight of the tapestry should be distributed evenly so that rod doesn't bow. Also keep dusting of the curtain tapestries regularly. The other way to clean them is using the vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust.

Dust should not be so much that it starts to show; and if it shows, then it has gone for too long without dusting. The dustier the tapestry is, the more susceptible it is to other particles adhering to it. The more that accumulates, the more difficult it will be to clean. Vacuuming the tapestry twice a year should suffice except in homes with a lot of dust or a home with pets. In this case, a tapestry may need to be vacuumed as often as once every two weeks.

Also the tapestries can fed over time if they are kept for too much time in the sunlight. So when hanging them on the wall we should keep notice that direct sunlight is not on it for too long. If it is being used as window curtain with a direct sunlight on window then use the light color tapestries and preferably the black & white and if not then keep changing them after they get faded.

We would be sharing the detailed washing instructions soon in our upcoming blog posts. For more information or any suggestion please email to info@blessestore.com

Happy tapestry shopping!

Thanks & regardsDr. Hitesh SharmaDirectorBless International (™)https://blessestore.com]]>
https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/ideas-for-wall-art-within-a-budget-with-tapestries2016-08-01T06:23:00-07:002017-01-30T02:36:04-08:00Ideas For Wall Art Within A Budget With TapestriesDigitize Software
Nowadays, if you decide to work on an interior design project then you will not fall short of any ideas or things to buy and put up. In fact, the main problem lies in the wide variety of items that you could easily integrate in your home or office décor. But, the bigger problem lies not in the variety of choices but in the budget and your ability to stick to it.

Although the budget is an important consideration, this does not mean that you will not be able to achieve your decorating goals. All you have to do is to look at the project in a different way, and you will realize that you will not need a huge amount of cash to fulfill your ideas and plans.

So, when working on your interior design projects on a budget the best advice would be to buy a tapestry suiting your interior. There are so many fantastic designs out there and that too within your budget. You can make your walls 10x beautiful by just hanging a good tapestry on your wall.

They can also be used like a bedspread, bed cover, and tablecloth, beach cover up, dorm, couch cover or window curtains. The multiple usages and the budget friendly option makes the tapestry a right choice for the home decor.

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/attractive-use-of-tapestries-to-enhances-your-rooms-decor2016-07-28T07:02:00-07:002017-01-30T02:36:40-08:00Attractive Use Of Tapestries To Enhances your Room's DécorDigitize SoftwareUsing the tapestries in the right manner ensures that the room area is efficiently used. A clever selection of tapestry can also highlight a wall of your room. However, figuring out the best way to utilize space and create a comfortable atmosphere can be a difficult chore. But with some planning and creativity, it can be accomplished easier than you think.

Before you decide anything, you have to decide what the focal point of the room is going to be. Focus your efforts around that location or item. Before hanging the tapestry in the room, decide on what will be the focus of the room. Center your tapestry around that focal point. It can be any room; a guest room, a bed room or the living hall.

Tapestry should be hanged keeping the background color of wall in mind to enhance the contrast. Position a tapestry in such a way that it is easily viewable from every angle. If you wish you can also keep a light source near this. When selecting tapestry size, make sure you have enough space to cover the right area on the wall.

In a multipurpose room, you can also use the tapestry like curtain that you divide the room into separate living and dining spaces. A strategically placed tapestry from the ceiling are simple and inexpensive ways to accomplish this. Make sure the room stays balanced and that the sections or divisions don't fight one another.

Happy Tapestry Shopping!

Dr. Hitesh SharmaDirectorBless InternationalTMinfo@blessestore.com

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https://blessestore.com/blogs/tapestry-uses-and-caring/affordable-tapestry-curtains-for-your-home2016-07-27T03:39:00-07:002017-01-30T02:35:57-08:00Affordable Tapestry Curtains for Your HomeDigitize Software
If you're looking into adding some fresh decorative touches to your home, a good place to start is with your window treatments. But it can be a bit daunting to your budget to purchase window treatments for an entire room. However, there are many window treatment options available that you can do yourself, and you never even have to pick up a needle or thread a sewing machine. With a little imagination and some simple connectors, any good tapestry can easily and quickly be transformed into a window treatment. So find a tapestry that suits your home decor and personal style, and choose something that already has finished edges. Then choose a grommet, clip, hook, or cord to hang it with, and you'll have a beautifully simple and inexpensive window treatment that reflects your personal style and creativity.

Grommets, slipped over wall hooks, produce a simple, crisp window treatment. Generally, a hammer and a grommet tool works at least as well for setting just a few grommets. The grommet prevents the hook from tearing through the hole. You can thread rayon cording through grommets and tie behind the grommets to create loops to hang from a wooden dowel or hooks above the window.

There are also stylish clips that can be found at flea markets and antique stores that simply latch onto the fabric. Home decorating and import stores also carry clip-on rings to hang curtains from.

You can even use buttons on tapestry curtains. Simply thread fine wire through the holes and sections of ribbon and simply twist the wire on the back side to create simple ribbon loops to hang the curtain with.

Let your creativity be your guide, and you can craft window treatments that reflect your personality and style. You're only limited by your own imagination.